Adapter for connecting a vacuum system to a container and container therewith

ABSTRACT

An adapter configured to be arrangeable on or in a wall of a container and configured to connect a vacuum system to said container. The adapter includes a first side configured to be directed towards an interior of the container and comprising an inlet, and a second side, opposite the first side, and configured to be directed outward relative to the interior of the container and comprising an outlet. A passage extends between the inlet and the outlet and includes a narrowing configured to cause a flow velocity at the inlet to be smaller than a flow velocity at the outlet. A sealing cap includes aforementioned specified adapter, and to an assembly includes a container and an adapter.

The herein disclosed invention relates to an adapter for connecting avacuum system to a container and moreover to a cap that may be comprisedby such an adapter and an assembly comprising at least such a containerand adapter.

The herein disclosed invention is particularly suitable to be applied toa flexible intermediate bulk container (FIBC), colloquially also knownas a “big bag”, “jumbo”, “super bag” or “super sack”. Such FIBCs areutilised for transporting and storing bulk materials and typicallyconsist of a plurality of panels of a woven plastic material, which arestitched or fused together and optionally provided with a coating.

FIBCs may be utilised for storing and transporting a wide range of bulkmaterials and are dimensioned and configured accordingly for the bulkmaterial they are intended to hold. These bulk materials may includeperishable bulk materials, such as food items including rice, grain,flour, beans and the like. For holding such perishable bulk materials,the FIBC may comprise a closed top and be substantially air andwaterproof to prevent ambient air and moisture from entering into aninterior of the FIBC.

After filling a FIBC with perishable bulk material, it is generallydesirable to remove at least some of the air from an interior of theFIBC prior to long term storage or transport, because remaining air mayhold moisture and/or oxygen that may spoil the perishable bulk material.Removing air from the interior of the FIBC is, however, a precariousmatter when one considers the relatively large dimensions of the FIBCand the fine granular structure that many perishable food itemscomprise.

Moreover, even a minor leakage of the FIBC may have disastrousconsequences for the perishable bulk material located therein whenunnoticed and left unattended for too long. Because such leakages areoften difficult to identify at first glance, FIBCs holding perishablebulk materials require labour intensive, regular inspections to identifyleakages before they may negatively affect the perishable bulk material.

The objective of the present invention is to provide means for applyinga vacuum to a container, in particular a FIBC of the here abovedescribed type, that is improved relative to the prior-art and withwhich one or more of the here above described or further drawbacks isobviated or abated.

This objective is achieved with an adapter in accordance with thepresent invention, the adapter being configured to be arrangeable on orin a wall of a container, such as a FIBC, and configured to connect avacuum system to said container, wherein the adapter comprises a firstside configured to be directed towards an interior of the container andcomprising an inlet; a second side, which is opposite the first side andconfigured to be directed outward relative to the interior of thecontainer and comprising an outlet; and a passage extending between theinlet and the outlet, wherein the passage comprises a narrowingconfigured to cause a flow velocity at the inlet to be smaller than aflow velocity at the outlet.

The here above specified adapter advantageously decreased a flowvelocity of an airflow at the inlet to be decreased relative to a flowvelocity at the outlet, the airflow being generated by a vacuum systemat the side of the outlet. Due to this relative decrease of flowvelocity, a likelihood of granular particulars being sucked towards theinlet and inhibiting the airflow is substantially decreased. Moreover,this relative decrease in flow velocity allows for a further increase inflow velocity generated by the vacuum system. As such, air may beextracted from the container at a rate that is faster relative toairflows that can be achieved with known alternative systems notcomprising a narrowing.

In preferred embodiments of an adapter according to the presentinvention, the narrowing is defined at least in part by a crosssectional surface area of the inlet that is enlarged relative to a crosssectional surface area of the outlet.

In further preferred embodiments of an adapter according to the presentinvention, the adapter further comprises an air permeable filterdisposed at the inlet.

In further preferred embodiments of an adapter according to the presentinvention, the adapter further comprises a filter support disposed atthe inlet.

In further preferred embodiments of an adapter according to the presentinvention, the filter support comprises a plurality of ribs extendingfrom an outer perimeter of the inlet.

In further preferred embodiments of an adapter according to the presentinvention, the narrowing comprises a stepped surface and the filtersupport comprises a plurality of protrusions arranged on the steppedsurface of the narrowing.

In further preferred embodiments of an adapter according to the presentinvention, the adapter moreover comprises a connector disposed at thesecond side of the adapter.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the adaptercomprises a locking element arranged on the second side of the adapter,wherein the locking element is configured to receive a lockingcounter-element of a sealing cap configured to seal off the adapter.

According to certain embodiments of an adapter in accordance with thepresent invention, the adapter moreover comprises a sealing cap, saidsealing cap comprising an elastic self-resealing septum that, whenpunctured by a needle-like object followed by a subsequent removal ofsaid object, reseals a puncture caused by the needle-like object.

The self-resealing septum provides easy access, by means of theneedle-like object, to the interior of the container so that an airsample may be collected therefrom without opening the container andcanceling the vacuum therein. This air sample may subsequently beanalysed, for example by determining the presence of moisture, tothereby determine whether the container from which the air sample hasbeen collected contains a leakage allowing ambient air to enter therein.

According to certain embodiments of an adapter in accordance with thepresent invention, the sealing cap comprises a sensor configured todetect moisture or humidity in the interior of the container. Such asensor may be applied in place of the here above describedself-resealing septum or applied in conjunction therewith.

In further embodiments of such a sensor, the sensor may be configured todetermine/sense air composition, temperature or oxygen level, or anycombination thereof.

According to certain embodiments of an adapter in accordance with thepresent invention, the adapter moreover comprises a sealing cap and theconnector of the adapter is embodied by an internal screw thread,wherein the sealing cap comprises the locking counter-element, and thelocking counter-element extends in a tightening direction of theconnector to be received by the locking element.

The above stated objective is moreover achieved with a sealing cap asspecified above. In the following description preferred embodiments ofthe present invention are further elucidated with reference to thedrawing, in which:

FIG. 1A depicts an assembly in accordance with the present inventionprior to extraction of air;

FIG. 1B depicts the assembly of FIG. 1A post extraction of air;

FIG. 2A depicts a first perspective view of an embodiment of an adapterin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2B depicts a second perspective view of the adapter depicted inFIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a further embodiment of an adapteraccording to the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of a sealing cap comprised by anadapter in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 depicts an intermediate element;

FIG. 6 illustrates an adapter according to the present invention in anoperating state;

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an intermediate elementaccording to the present invention; and

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a sealing cap accordingto the present invention.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show an assembly comprising a container 100 containinggranular matter or particulars 200. Container 100 may be an FIBC andcomprises an adapter 1 fluidly connecting container 100 to a vacuumsystem 300 with tubing for the extraction of air from the interior ofcontainer 100. Container 100 is preferably double-sided comprising aninterior container and exterior container of approximately equaldimensions, wherein at least the former is substantially airtight havingadapter 1 connected thereto as described below.

FIG. 1A depicts a state of container 100 prior to, or at least beforethe completion of, the extraction of air therefrom. In contrast, FIG. 1Bdepicts a state of container 100 wherein the extraction of air has beencompleted or has nearly been completed, resulting in a volume ofcontainer 100 in this state being decreased relative to the state ofcontainer 100 depicted in FIG. 1A.

In FIGS. 2A and 2B, an adapter 1 comprises a first side 2 and anopposing second side 3. The adapter 1 is configured to be arranged on awall of container 100 of FIG. 1 and aligned with an appropriatelydimensioned opening in the wall of container 100. The adapter 1 may bearranged at an interior or exterior side of the container, oralternatively arranged within the opening in the wall of said container,so that said wall is arranged partially within a groove between firstside 2 and second side 3. Second side 3 is configured to be orientedaway from the interior of a container so that it may be connected tovacuum system 300.

In the depicted embodiment adapter 1 moreover comprises a circular shapeand comprises on its first side 2, which is configured to be orientedtowards the interior of the container 100, an inlet 4 for an intake ofan airflow. On the opposite second side 3, adapter 1 comprises an outlet5. Inlet 4 and outlet 5 are mutually fluidly connected to thereby definea passage extending between inlet 4 and outlet 5 to allow for an airflow to flow there through from inlet 4 to outlet 5. Inlet 4 is overdimensioned relative to outlet 5, so that inlet 4 comprises a crosssectional area that is larger than a cross sectional area of outlet 5.The passage extending between inlet 4 and outlet 5 may therefore be atleast partially defined by this size difference between inlet 4 andoutlet 5.

In certain non-depicted embodiments of adapter 1, a cross sectionaldimension of the passage may gradually decrease in a flow direction frominlet 4 to outlet 5, to thereby define a narrowing in the passage.However, in the illustrated embodiments the adapter 1 comprises anarrowing 6 that is stepped and narrows the passage relatively abruptly.

During an extraction of air from an interior of container 100 to whichadapter 1 is applied, a total airflow passing into inlet 4 and throughthe passage comprising narrowing 6 and outlet 5 is constant. However,due to the presence of narrowing 6 a flow velocity of this airflow atinlet 4 is decreased relative to a flow velocity at outlet 5. Thisadvantageously decreases the likelihood of granular particulars 200being sucked into inlet 4, where they may clog the passage or eveneventually pass into the tubing or vacuum system 300, which wouldinhibit the extraction of air from container 100.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , the adapter 1 may moreover comprise an airpermeable filter 8 arranged at inlet 4. The air permeable filter 8comprises a circular shape substantially corresponding to the crosssectional area of inlet 4. The air permeable filter 8 comprises aplurality of perforations or passageways configured to not substantiallyor at least minimally inhibit an air flow flowing into inlet 4, throughthe passage and outlet 5, while simultaneously preventing granularmaterial 200 passing there through.

Exemplary embodiments of an air permeable filter 8 include a perforatedrigid body and a body consisting of a flexible or pliable material withair permeable passageways extending there through, such as a sponge-likematerial.

While both air permeable filter 8 and narrowing 6 may alternatively beapplied to prevent granular matter 200 from entering inlet 4, morepreferred embodiments of adapter 1 nevertheless comprise both of thesecomponents. In these embodiments, the entering of granular matter intoinlet 4 is prevented by means of the air permeable filter 8; and anaccumulation of this granular matter on a surface area of air permeablefilter 8—which may partially or fully inhibit the flow of air into inlet4—is moreover prevented due to the relatively decreased flow velocity atinlet 4 as a result of narrowing 6 being disposed in the passage.

Referring now again to FIG. 2A, the adapter 1 moreover comprises afilter support 7. Filter support 7 comprises a plurality of first filtersupport elements 7′ and second filter support elements 7″. In thedepicted embodiment, first filter support elements 7′ are embodied as aplurality of radially arranged first ribs extending from an outerperimeter of inlet 4 towards a central section of the cross sectionalarea of inlet 4, at which central section the first filter supportelements 7′ are interconnected by of a centrally arranged ring.

In embodiments of adapter 1 comprising air permeable filter 8—and inparticular in embodiments wherein the air permeable filter 8 exhibitsflexibility or pliability—the plurality of filter support elements 7′may collectively function as a support that prevents the air permeablefilter 8 being dislodged by the air flow, and possibly being sucked intoinlet 4.

Still referring to FIG. 2A, filter support 7 moreover comprises secondfilter support elements 7″ that, in the depicted embodiment, areembodied as a plurality of radially arranged second ribs. Each one ofsecond filter support elements 7″ likewise extends from an outerperimeter of inlet 4, over a frontal surface of stepped narrowing 6,towards the centre of the cross sectional area of inlet 4. Second filtersupport elements 7″ moreover comprise a length which is shorter than thelengths of first filter support elements 7′, so that said second filtersupport elements 7″ do not overlap with a most constricted section ofthe passage defined by narrowing 6 as do first filter support elements7′.

Second filter support elements 7″ are configured to support airpermeable filter 8 to ensure an uninhibited airflow in conjunction withfirst filter support elements 7′. In particular, second filter supportelements 7″ prevent air permeable filter 8 being displaced andcompressed—whether or not with granular matter—against the steppedsurface of narrowing 6, which would cancel out the here above describedadvantageous effects of narrowing 6.

It is emphasised here that the illustrated embodiments of first filtersupport elements 7′ and second filter support elements 7″ are merelyexemplary in nature; and that the skilled person may conceivealternative designs for these components while retaining their function.Second filter support elements 7″ may alternatively comprise otherprotruding shapes. Nevertheless, embodiments wherein first and secondfilter support elements 7′, 7″ are embodied as ribs are considered to bemore advantageous, because such ribs may additionally function asreinforcement ribs contributing to the overall rigidity and durabilityof adapter 1.

With reference to FIG. 2B, second side 3 of adapter moreover comprises aconnector 17 for connecting container 100 to the vacuum system 300 ofFIG. 1 and/or for sealing off adapter 1 by means of a sealing cap 12according to the present disclosure, which will be elucidated below withreference to FIG. 4-6 . Connector 17 comprises a flange extending aroundan outer perimeter of outlet 5 and outward relative to adapter 1 with ascrew thread on its exterior surface for establishing the actualconnection.

Moreover, arranged adjacent to connector 17 there is disposed a lockingelement 11, which is embodied as an eye and configured to receive alocking counter-element 13 of a sealing cap 12 configured to seal offadapter 1. Said sealing cap 12 and the operation of locking element 11will be elucidated further with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6 .

FIG. 4 shows an exterior of exemplary embodiment of a sealing cap 12 inaccordance with the present invention. Sealing cap 12 comprises aconcave circular body with an internal screw thread for connectingsealing cap 12 to adapter 1 to thereby seal off adapter 1.

Sealing cap 12 moreover comprises, at its outer perimeter, a lockingcounter-element 13. Locking counter-element 13 comprises an elongateshape that extends from a connection point to sealing cap 12 along anouter perimeter of sealing cap 12 in a rotary direction for tighteningsealing cap 12.

At an extremity of opposite the connection point with sealing cap 12,locking counter-element 13 comprises an enlarged section 14 that is overdimensioned relative to locking element 11 at second side 3 of adapter1, so that locking element 11 retains locking counter-element 13 whensealing cap 12 is removed from the first side 2 of adapter 1.

Locking counter-element 13 moreover comprises a recess 15 configured toreceive at least part of locking element 11. In the depicted embodiment,recess 15 is arranged adjacent to the connection point of lockingcounter-element 13 to sealing cap 12.

FIG. 6 depicts a state of adapter 1 wherein sealing cap 12, by means ofits internal screw thread, is screwed onto the screw thread of connector17. As is illustrated in this figure, elongate locking counter-element13 is received in locking element 11 and a section of locking element isreceived by recess 15 of elongate locking counter-element 13.

Elongate locking counter-element 13 may exhibit flexibility so thatlocking counter-element 13 may be pulled in an outward direction awayfrom sealing cap 12 and adapter 1, thereby facilitating easy removal ofsealing cap 12 by a user.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 , connector 17 and the (notdepicted) internal screw thread of sealing cap 12 are configured suchthat sealing cap 12 may be removed from connector 17 by twisting sealingcap 12 approximately 90 degrees in a loosening rotary direction ofsealing cap 12. In this embodiment, elongate locking counter-element 13comprises a length extending around approximately a quarter of the outerperimeter of sealing cap 12, so that said length essentially correspondsto the 90 degree twist required for the removal of sealing cap 12.

The skilled person will acknowledge that sealing cap 12 mayalternatively be configured such that it can be removed from connector17 by twisting sealing cap 12 by approximately 180 degrees, wherein thelength of elongate locking counter-element comprises a correspondinglength extending around approximately half of the outer perimeter ofsealing cap 12. Yet further twist angles for loosening of sealing cap 12and corresponding lengths of elongate counter-locking element 13 arelikewise conceivable.

FIG. 5 illustrates an intermediate element 9 arrangeable betweenconnector outlet 5 and sealing cap 12 in the operating depicted in FIG.6 . In the depicted embodiment, intermediate element 9 comprises asealing section 19 dimensioned to fit in or onto outlet 5 to therebyclose off outlet 5.

To ensure an airtight seal between outlet 5 and intermediate element 9,intermediate element 9 comprises a sealing ring 10 extending along anouter perimeter of intermediate element 9. Sealing ring 10 is configuredto ensure an airtight seal between outlet 5 and intermediate element 9and may moreover comprise a rubber-like material for this purpose. Assuch, intermediate element 9 prevents air from entering into container100 even when sealing cap 12 is disconnected from connector 17.

Intermediate element 9 moreover comprises two through holes 18 fordetermining a presence of a leakage of container 100 to which adapter 1is applied.

In accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, athrough hole 18 may comprise a self-resealing septum or diaphragm (notdepicted) for collecting an air sample. Such a self-resealing septum maybe configured to be penetrated by a hollow needle or similar object tocollect a sample of air or gas present within container 100 to whichadapter 1 is applied. Due to its self-resealing properties, thisself-resealing septum will reseal itself after subsequent removal of theneedle to thereby fully close off the through hole 18 in which it isarranged.

The here above described self-resealing septum of adapter 1 enables anefficient and relatively easy method for collecting a sample forsubsequent analysis. Because such a method only involves access tothrough hole 18, wherein intermediate element 9 may remain in place onor within outlet 5 of adapter 1, the vacuum present within container 100may be maintained.

This collected sample may subsequently be tested for the presence ofgaseous matter indicative of a leak of container 100 using one ofvarious analysis apparatuses known in the art. Preferably, this analysismay involve determining the presence of moisture or humidity thatentered into an interior of container 100 as a result of a leak ofcontainer 100. Alternatively, the sample may be analysed to determinethe presence of various other gaseous chemicals normally present inambient air and therefore indicative of a leak, or even further gaseouschemicals that have been purposefully released into a space in whichcontainer 100 is present and will seep into any leaking container.

In accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention, theself-resealing septum comprises a polymer material, in particular athermoplastic elastomer. Such a septum may be punctured and resealed asdescribed above multiple times over the course of its lifespan

In addition or alternatively to the here above described self-resealingseptum, a sensor (not depicted) configured to directly detect matterindicative of a leakage may be arranged within at least one of throughholes 18. Such a sensor may be configured to sense the presence ofmoisture, humidity or one of the other types of the other types ofgaseous matter indicative of a leakage described here above. The sensormay be electrically connected to a printed circuit board (PCB) forcontrolling the sensor, a battery for supplying power to the sensor andthe PCB, an antenna for enabling communication of the sensor or PCB withan external apparatus, and an indicator configured to indicate adetection result of the sensor.

The indicator preferably comprises a light source, such as a lightemitting diode (LED), arranged on intermediate element 9. In preferredembodiments, sealing cap 12 comprises a translucent window (not shown)on its exterior surface configured to transmit light emitted by theindicator. In these embodiments, a detection result of the sensor mayeasily be read without first requiring the removal of sealing cap 12.

In more preferred embodiments, there is moreover provided a light guideextending from the indicator arranged on intermediate element 9 towardthe translucent window of sealing cap 12, wherein said light guide isconfigured to guide light emitted by the indicator towards saidtranslucent window. Said light guide may comprise a translucentmaterial, such as glass or certain polymers.

The here above described sensor may moreover be communicativelyconnected by means of the antenna to an external management systemconfigured to remotely and periodically collect detection results of thesensor in an automated manner.

The present invention may moreover relate to an assembly comprising acontainer 100 and an adapter 1.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the intermediate element 9 ofFIG. 5 . In FIG. 5 , the overall construction of intermediate element 9′is further simplified resulting in a decreased vertical dimensionrelative to the embodiment depicted in foregoing figures.

Specifically, intermediate element 9′ comprises a substantially circularbody configured to be placed on or within outlet 5 of adapter 1.Intermediate element 9′ preferably comprises a material exhibiting atleast some degree of elasticity for establishing an airtight seal, suchas a rubber-like material.

Intermediate element 9′ comprises a through hole 18′ arrangedapproximately at the center of intermediate element 9′. Through hole 18′comprises and is closed off by, the here above described self-resealingseptum, thereby making it possible to collect an air sample withoutremoval of intermediate element 9′ and while maintaining any vacuumpresent within the interior of container 100.

FIG. 8 depicts a further embodiment of a sealing cap 12′ in accordancewith the present invention. Sealing cap 12′ is configured to be arrangedon the intermediate element 9′ of FIG. 7 and thus comprises a decreasedvertical dimension relative to the embodiments of sealing cap 12 offoregoing figures. Sealing cap 12′ likewise comprises an lockingcounter-element 13′ having an enlarged section 14′ and a recess 15′, allof which are equivalent to counter-element 13, enlarged section 14 andrecess 15 described here above with reference to FIG. 4 .

Sealing cap 12′ moreover comprises an access 20 for providing access tothe aforementioned self-sealing septum disposed on or within throughhole 18′ of intermediate element 9′. Access 20 is embodied as a throughhole appropriately dimensioned to receive, for example, a needle forcollecting an air sample from an interior of container 100 as describedhere above. Access 20 is preferably arranged at or near a center ofsealing cap 12′ so that access 20 is aligned with through hole 18′ ofintermediate element 9′ in an assembled state of adapter 1, intermediateelement 9′ and sealing cap 12′. As such, an air sample may be collectedfrom the interior of container 100 without necessitating the removal ofsealing cap 12′ in the here above described manner.

It is further noted here that while FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 illustratealternative embodiments of intermediate element 9 and sealing cap 12 offoregoing figures, these embodiments of intermediate element 9′ andsealing cap 12′ are nevertheless configured to be utilised in conjuctionwith any one of the here above described embodiments of adapter 1.

While the here above described exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention are configured to extract air from an interior of a containerto thereby to apply a vacuum to said interior of said container, it isnoted here that alternatively this air may be exchanged with a (mixtureof) gas not comprising moisture or oxygen, such as nitrogen or carbondioxide.

The present disclosure provides an adapter configured to be arrangeableon or in a wall of a container and configured to connect a vacuum systemto said container; and a sealing cap that may be comprised by such anadapter. The invention presently disclosed may be intended as animproved substitute for known alternative means for connecting a vacuumsystem to a container and/or techniques for determining the presence ofa leakage in such a container. It is noted here that the scope ofprotection for the developments described in the present disclosure areby no means limited to any particular feature of the embodimentsdescribed above and illustrated in the appended drawing. The scope ofprotection is exclusively determined based on the limitations of theappended independent claims, but may, in some jurisdictions, evenencompass obvious alternatives for features in the independent claims.Other variations for specifically described elements, components andfunctionalities, that may also be embodied within the scope of theappended claims of the present disclosure, have been at least hinted atin the above embodiment description or the skilled person may beconsidered to be able to contemplate these variations within the rangeof this skilled person's general knowledge. This exemplary reference toalternative embodiments substantiates that any limitation to anyspecific feature, that is not defined as a limitation in the independentclaims, is unwarranted.

1. An adapter configured to be arrangeable on or in a wall of acontainer and configured to connect a vacuum system to said container,comprising: a first side configured to be directed towards an interiorof the container and comprising an inlet; a second side, opposite thefirst side, and configured to be directed outward relative to theinterior of the container and comprising an outlet; and a passageextending between the inlet and the outlet; wherein the passagecomprises a narrowing configured to cause a flow velocity at the inletto be smaller than a flow velocity at the outlet.
 2. The adapteraccording to claim 1, wherein the narrowing is defined at least in partby a cross sectional surface area of the inlet that is enlarged relativeto a cross sectional area of the outlet.
 3. The adapter according toclaim 1, further comprising an air permeable filter disposed at theinlet.
 4. The adapter according to claim 1, further comprising a filtersupport disposed at the inlet.
 5. The adapter according to claim 4,wherein the filter support comprises a plurality of ribs extending froman outer perimeter of the inlet.
 6. The adapter according to claim 4,wherein the narrowing comprises a stepped surface and the filter supportcomprises a plurality of protrusions arranged on the stepped surface ofthe narrowing.
 7. The adapter according to claim 1, further comprising aconnector disposed at the second side of the adapter.
 8. The adapteraccording to claim 1, further comprising a locking element arranged onthe second side of the adapter, wherein the locking element isconfigured to receive a locking counter-element of a sealing capconfigured to seal off the adapter.
 9. The adapter according to claim 1,further comprising sealing cap, wherein the sealing cap comprises: anelastic self-resealing septum that, when punctured by a needle-likeobject followed by a subsequent removal of said object, reseals apuncture caused by the needle-like object.
 10. The adapter according toclaim 1, further comprising a sealing cap, wherein the sealing capcomprises: a sensor configured to detect matter indicative of a leakageof the container in the interior of the container.
 11. The adapteraccording to claim 8, further comprising a connector disposed at thesecond side of the adapter, and a sealing cap, wherein the connector ofthe adapter is embodied by an internal screw thread; and the sealing capcomprises the locking counter-element, wherein the lockingcounter-element extends in a tightening direction of the connector to bereceived by the locking element.
 12. A sealing cap as described in claim9.
 13. An assembly comprising at least a container and an adapteraccording to claim 1.